Minimize wireless interference

Microwave Menace

The biggest culprit for radio interference in any home is a microwave oven. If you want to test this theory, turn on the microwave and stand near it and try to make a call with your 2.4 GHz cordless phone. The phone’s earpiece will make a nasty crackling noise. There are a couple of ways to reduce this problem.

First, microwaves tend to emit more disruptive energy out of the back of the oven than the front, which is shielded. Try to position it with it back to an external wall or solid object and definitely pointing away from any antennas you may have on your wireless devices. For example, don’t put your cordless phone base station and Wi-Fi router next to each other. Locate them in different rooms, if possible, and preferably on a different floor if that’s an option.

Location, Location, Location

Location of your wireless devices is all-important. Place mission-critical wireless devices like Wi-Fi routers in the middle of your home if possible. Also avoid boxing in any wireless device with large pieces of furniture. Avoid keep it in a closet. Also, move it away from the wall - a minimum of six inches ideally. Make sure the device's antenna is adjusted upright and not in contact with anything. Try moving it at different angles to see how the signal is affected. Keep it on a shelf and off the floor. You might also consider replacing the antenna with an upgrade. SMC makes a high-gain antenna that improves the range on Wi-Fi routers, though they don't filter interference.

"Higher gain antennas can be made to help in certain circumstances," explained Kris Kelkar, senior VP wireless devices at antenna technology company California Amplifer, "However they are not a cure all."

Kelkar’s company is developing what they call "smart" antennas, which process and filter signals to discard interference and boost Wi-Fi range by two to three times. The US$500 to US$1000 antennas will be available to businesses mid-year and he believes the technology will eventually make its way down to prices affordable to consumers within 18 months from their initial availability.

Wireless Alternatives

If you home is large, boost your Wi-Fi range by buying a HomePlug powerline adapter. This plugs into a Wi-Fi router and pushes the network signal through the electrical wiring in the house. HomePlug Wi-Fi adapters can be plugged into any power socket to push a strong signal back into the air in any room in the house. Powerline adapters are made by Siemens, D-Link, Netgear, Belkin and other network gear companies.

Alternately, go back to using a cabled connection, if interference is too bad for specific networked computers in the house. This may not always be feasible, but it's a simple solution people sometimes overlook.

Ultimately, wireless interference can be solved, or at least minimized, with basic common sense and a little planning. And heck, you can always bypass the microwave and heat your burritos in the oven.

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